I’ve come across a couple of violins like this Storioni where the corner blocks had apparently been replaced. Signs of this are: none of the linings have been morticed into the blocks, and the linings ends have been cut on a line parallel with the line that bisects the rib miter allowing a new block to be slid into place.
This violin holding jig caused a deal of interest in the Robertson's shop. It's a dynamic version of one I saw used by Malcolm Siddall at the Welsh school. Its essential feature is that it holds the work at both ends and there is enough space beneath the work to take...
These Brazilian guys drive the country selling Brazilian made bows and violin wood from Europe. For violin makers like me, far from any European wood mill or US wood wholesaler, this allows me to pick through the wood before buying it, an invaluable service.
By far the best peg shapers that I’ve used are those by Alberti Designs. They make a set of 12 blocks to cover all sizes of violin and cello pegs.
Updated 8.23.2012 - see below I came across this at Robertsons and Sons Violins where they have not used any other animal glue for many years. It is a good quality animal glue, liquid at room temperature and consequently has a long working time of several minutes...
By placing the job inside a bag and sucking out the air, the top will be pulled down firmly into the mold giving a good surface to work on
A correctly dimensioned and properly positioned neck is crucial for the functionality of an instrument. A skilled violin maker can also use the neck to make significant tonal adjustments. There are many variables in neck dimensions and most makers have their own views...
Violin rib construction methods The sides or "ribs" of the violin are most commonly constructed of six thin strips of wood, reinforced where they meet at the corners and ends by small blocks of wood. The problem during construction is how to hold those blocks and...